Topic: Opioid Addiction

Historical media clips from Law & Order and ER are used to illustrate how television has been used for vaccine propaganda, specifically regarding measles outbreaks. The discussion shifts to modern vaccine hesitancy following the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on public health narratives. Additionally, reports on Sublocade suggest that while it helps with opioid withdrawal, it carries its own risks of high-potency addiction.

The FDA is launching a "big action" against vape shops selling 7-OH, a synthetic derivative of the kratom plant. Dr. Marty Makary claims the product binds to opioid receptors 13 times more potently than natural kratom and has been linked to teen addiction. The hosts debate the botanical nature of kratom and criticize the FDA for targeting a plant used for centuries in Asia while ignoring other public health crises.

One host discusses their ongoing experiment with Kratom, noting that while the FDA warns of its dangers, many people use it to successfully transition off of harder opioids. They clarify that they are not "strung out" but enjoy the "groovy" feeling it provides while watching television. They distinguish between high-quality leaves and the "micro powder" found in head shops.

Kratom, an herbal drug with opioid-like effects, is facing increased regulation and wrongful death lawsuits in the US. While some users report a euphoric boost in energy, others experience significant withdrawal symptoms, stomach issues, and cognitive impairment. One of the hosts shared a personal anecdote about trying a home-bottled version of the product, describing a "pleasant body buzz."

The FDA approves the Masimo SafetyNet, a disposable smart wristband and pulse oximeter that monitors a patient's oxygen levels and respiration rate from home. The device sends live data to a clinician's dashboard via a smartphone app. Originally designed for opioid addicts, the technology is now being deployed in 600 hospitals worldwide for COVID-19 monitoring.

Purdue Pharma is facing numerous lawsuits from state Attorneys General regarding the marketing of OxyContin. Former sales representatives claim they were trained to use the term "pseudo-addiction" to convince doctors that patients showing signs of addiction actually needed higher doses of the drug.

Cambridge Analytica announced it is shutting down and filing for bankruptcy in the US and UK, blaming "unfairly negative" media coverage for the loss of its clients. Meanwhile, a study from San Francisco State University has coined the term "phoneliness" to describe the loneliness and anxiety caused by smartphone addiction. Researchers compare the neurological connections formed by heavy phone use to those seen in opioid addiction.

A study suggests that over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and Advil can be as effective as prescription opioids for pain relief. Meanwhile, private equity firms and large chains like Acadia Healthcare are aggressively acquiring profitable addiction treatment centers to capitalize on insurance payouts.

An NPR segment claimed that "black privilege" exists in the opioid crisis because doctors are less likely to prescribe narcotics to non-white patients due to racial stereotyping. The theory suggests that unconscious bias has a "protective effect" by preventing addiction in minority populations. The hosts dismiss the report as "horse crap" and an unhinged attempt to find a positive angle in systemic racism.

Sam Quinones describes how Purdue Pharma used aggressive marketing techniques, including giveaways and trips, to convince doctors that OxyContin was non-addictive. For the first 14 years of its existence, the drug lacked abuse-deterrent properties, allowing users to build high tolerances. When patients could no longer afford the pills, they often transitioned to cheaper heroin provided by the Jalisco traffickers.

DHS nominee General John Kelly testified about the severity of the opioid and heroin crisis in the United States. He noted that much of the heroin is produced in Mexico and Central America, while also criticizing the "overly medicated" nature of American society and the role of legal pharmaceutical prescriptions.

Republican candidate Rick Perry suggests that Charleston shooter Dylann Roof was under the influence of the drug Suboxone, a claim the hosts support. Suboxone, manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser, is used to treat opioid dependence but is linked to erratic behavior when misused. The hosts argue that the role of pharmaceutical drugs in mass shootings is a scandal ignored by mainstream media due to advertiser interests.

NPR reports on the controversy surrounding the FDA's approval of Zohydro, which is significantly more powerful than Vicodin. Public health advocates are urging the FDA to withdraw approval, citing the ongoing epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose deaths.